Lmao welcome back to my bullshit. Anyway. Fic featuring Nyx&co because i cant stop rewatching Kingsglaive and i love them so much. Also featuring CAPABLE!ensemble cast and appropriately intelligent chocobros. You think these fuckers wouldn't be trained so hard on how to survive hostage/kidnapping situations? Youd be WRONG. They are smart and capable and i love them. Feat. more development of Insomnia because we dont get enough of the city EVER, worried and protective Regis, worried and protective chocobros, etc. love this shit.
Also if you're new here - hello i take many liberties with the canon timeline because fuck the canon timeline i bet you like all of the story creators couldn't tell u solid relative ages if they were being threatened with sharknado sharks. All the bros know each other and are relatively comfortable with each other (friends, even).
Crossposted - FINALLY - from AO3 after i got my damn act together. if u see anything that looks wonky, lmk and i'll fix it but its like 6:30am and i havent been to sleep yet
love y'all
-oxy
Despite their elite warrior status and the honors awarded to them, there was a certain amount of bullshit that members of the Kingsglaive had to slog through as a part of their duty to the royal family. Some of that bullshit was what Command called "Sensitive Encrypted Communications Monitoring." Basically, this part of the job was literally looking through the king's and the crown prince's personal text messages and communications.
Some of His Royal Highness's conversations went like this:
NOXT: hey fam u wanna play kings knight
NOXT: im lvl 35 now and i unlocked that dungeon
NOXT: prommmmmm kings knight
NOXT: prooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
NOXT: prom
PROM: fuck ok dude im awake now i guess
NOXT: lol sorry
NOXT: u dont have to if u need the sleep
NOXT: forgot peasants had actual schedules
PROM: rude
NOXT: u cant call me rude thats treason
PROM: apologies ur royal royalness
More of these conversations went like this:
NOXT: food?
PROM: yes plz
NOXT: crows nest in five?
PROM: make it 15 wanna drop my bag at home
NOXT: yee
And still more of these conversations went vaguely like this:
NOXT: idk man sometimes i dont feel like a prince
NOXT: or like i feel like im not good enough to be a prince?
NOXT: like one day theyre gonna b like
NOXT: nah dude ur not the prince its this other guy
NOXT: and ill b like yea that makes sense
PROM: imposter syndrome i think
NOXT: lol ?
PROM: happens 2 me 2
PROM: i just go through the motions and constantly wonder
PROM: if one day ur gonna discover im just three dogs in a trench coat
NOXT: lmao 3 dogs in a trench coat
NOXT: is that y u actually drooled over specs risotto yesterday
PROM: nah thats just a usual response as a living thing with a mouth
His Royal Majesty's conversations generally went something like this:
HRMRLC: Clarus, did you find the brief on my desk? -RLC
ClarusA: Yes, Regis, I'll make sure it gets to the council meeting on time.
HRMRLC: Many thanks, my friend. -RLC
Or like this:
HRMRLC: Cor, I need to ask you a question about popular culture. -RLC
CorL: How can I help?
HRMRLC: What is a 'meme'? -RLC
CorL: Oh, no.
Or, even like this:
HRMRLC: Ignis, I have a question about Noctis's finances. - RLC
IgnisS: Yes, Your Majesty?
HRMRLC: I see there's been an approved transaction of $2,000 to be put towards camera equipment, and the only note in the memo section says 'Prompto.' - RLC
IgnisS: Oh, goodness.
Today, His Royal Highness Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum was texting his friend Prompto Argentum, and Kingsglaive Nyx Ulric was in Comms boredly monitoring the interaction as it unfolded.
NOXT: hey did u take any notes in physics i left my notebook at school
PROM: i didnt take any notes srry
NOXT: all good ill swing by the school and grab it
PROM: u sure u dont want me 2? im off in like 5
There was a brief pause in the conversation. It wasn't more than a minute or so, but Nyx felt like something was off about that pause.
NOXT: nah dude ik ur worried abt the art test
PROM: art test?
NOXT: yeah color theory
NOXT: and what the color cobalt 24 means
PROM: dude u okay what art test?
Nyx could feel the blood draining from his face and he lunged across the desk in the Comms office to hit the red emergency button. There was a resounding klaxon alarm and he could make out frantic shouts coming from the other rooms in the building. He could hear the building locking down.
The Citadel took security of the council very seriously - every member on the council was followed when on the premises, their calls monitored, their associates vetted. Every council member was given personal security codes that were reset every year - a "help" code for minor suspicious events and an "oh, shit" code for actual, observable danger.
(The code had a formal name, Nyx knew it had a formal name, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what that name was; everyone, even the captain, always just called it the "Oh, Shit" Code. Nyx was convinced that only the truly stuffy folks on the council would remember its formal name, anyway).
Likewise, the Citadel took the security of the royal family to the extreme. King Regis and Prince Noctis both had sworn Shields, all communications were monitored, and every associate was monitored by teams of security personnel. His Majesty was slightly easier to keep safe; after all, the man couldn't peel himself away from the Citadel long enough to get into real trouble. His "Oh, Shit" Code was changed every two months or so, and knowledge of what it was and what it meant was restricted to the Kingsglaive, Crownsguard, and Regis's Shield, Clarus.
Noctis was a different story. He had a friend outside the Citadel. He went to school outside the Citadel. Hell, he had an apartment outside the Citadel where he lived most of the time. For all intents and purposes, Noctis was a much softer target than his father because he was so exposed to the public. So, the powers that be had done their very best to make him the hardest target possible.
Prince Noctis's "Oh, Shit" Code was changed on a semi-regular non-schedule schedule, and was need-to-know only for the Glaives on Comms along with Noctis's Shield, his advisor, and his father. And up until that morning when Nyx had taken over Comms after Crowe, that code had been "Echo 2-1."
That code had been changed to "Cobalt 24" around eight in the morning, right at the Comms shift change, and Crowe had handed that code to Nyx in a sealed envelope and clapped him on the shoulder and wished him a boring shift.
Gods-be-fucking-damned Cobalt 24. His Royal Highness Noctis Lucis Caelum had personally called a code, and Nyx was going to be stuck at the stupid fucking Comms desk while the Citadel scrambled a response.
"Ulric, report!" Cor Leonis barked through the speakers in the desk.
"Prince called code twenty seconds ago, location is currently-" Nyx glanced at the GPS tracking Noctis's phone "-corner of Birch and 22nd, heading west at 2.5 miles per hour. Last contact was Prompto Argentum by text ten seconds ago. Argentum is stationary at the intersection of 35th and 26th."
"Info?"
"None so far, just the code. Contact from the King?" Nyx spared a look at the GPS dot of King Regis's phone, placing him approximately in his chambers at the Citadel.
"He's locked down. Central is safe for now."
"What do we do, sir?"
"You're going to stay at Comms and monitor, Ulric," Cor commanded.
Nyx pinched the bride of his nose and tried to center himself. "Yes, sir. Plans for Citadel response?"
"Amicitia is scrambling a covert strike team of Glaives. They'll move to intercept in eleven minutes at Birch and 18th."
But Nyx was paying attention again to the wide screen showing him the texts between Noctis and Prompto.
NOXT: prmgbnnnnnnn
PROM: dude u ok ur bein weird?
NOXT: I'm fine, Prom. Thank you for your concern.
PROM: ? ok
PROM: hey, we still on for monarch's madness tonight?
NOXT: Of course! Will you remind me the time we set?
PROM: whenever youre done with dinner dude
PROM: i remember about that art test now but was more worried about music theory if u catch my drift
"Someone has taken Noctis's phone and is using it to message Argentum," Nyx reported as he watched the texts scroll across the screen. He cast his eyes to the GPS dots again and felt a sinking in his stomach when he alighted on Argentum's dot. "Sir, Argentum is now heading west on 35th and will intercept Noctis in about four minutes at his pace. You need to tell that strike team to get a move on if they want to intercept first; that kid can move."
"Fucking shit," Cor responded and yelled something unintelligible to someone else in the room he was in.
A small alarm sounded from the console, and Nyx looked over to see that Argentum was making a call.
"Sir, Argentum is calling Scientia," Nyx said.
"On speaker, Ulric," Cor ordered.
Argentum, not even half out of breath for how fast he was running, frantically reported to Ignis Scientia as soon as he picked up, "Ig, Noct's in trouble!"
"We've been made aware, Prompto," Ignis replied, terse and tense. "Gladio is leading a team to retrieve him. They are leaving the Citadel as we speak."
Prompto hurdled a baby stroller and continued, stride unbroken. He'd probably get in trouble for leaving the host's station unattended at the restaurant, but he couldn't find the wherewithal to care.
"I'm closer than them, Iggy, I'll be there in four," Prompto weaved as quickly as he could through a small throng of middle-aged women who were out power-walking. When one of them gasped at him, scandalized, he called over his shoulder, "Sorry, ma'am!"
"How do you know where Noctis is, Prompto?"
"I used 'Find my Friends.' Noct gave me permission," Prompto defended when he could practically hear Ignis's displeased stare.
"Is there anything I can say that would convince you to stay out of this?"
"Nope! Noct's in trouble!"
Prompto could hear a brief argument on the other end of the phone but was far too busy mentally bemoaning his choice of wardrobe to pay attention to it. His flat-soled sneakers slammed against the ground sending unpleasant shockwaves up his legs and the sun soaked into his too-warm shirt and pants.
"Very well. You're approaching Noctis quickly. Do not make any movements against any persons that are with him - you are only authorized to stall for time until Galdio arrives. Do you understand me?"
"Yessir," Prompto hung a left and narrowly avoided a collision with a man holding a travel cup of coffee. He dashed through an intersection and slid across the hood of a car that had edged into the crosswalk. Prompto checked the dot on the map again to make sure he was in position to put himself right in Noctis's path, and scrolled back through their conversation to find what he was looking for. It was more than three hostiles, then…
"You'll intercept in 60 seconds. Keep the call live and put your phone in your pocket. I'll still talk to you in your headphones, but give no indication that you are listening."
"Copy that, Specs."
"And Prompto? Be careful."
"I will."
Prompto slowed his pace to a reasonable jog and attempted to get his breathing more under control. He could feel his pulse thrumming in his neck. His phone carefully shoved into his front jacket pocket, and with one earbud in as if he'd been jogging recreationally, Prompto rounded one more corner and saw Noctis.
The prince, more tense than Prompto had ever seen him, was surrounded loosely by five tall men dressed in varying flavors of expensive streetwear. They walked together at a near-leisurely pace down the sparsely-populated street; one man led the group and four others walked around Noctis, two on either side. Blood leaked from the prince's nose, and Noctis's lower lip was split open.
"Five visible hostiles," Prompto muttered into the microphone attached to his earbuds.
"Understood."
It was more than normal for Noctis to go unnoticed when walking around through Insomnia - he didn't draw much attention to himself on principle and was very good at fading into the background of the normal hustle and bustle of city life. Nobody had noticed the prince at all, let alone the fact that he was practically being escorted by criminals. And those criminals had probably threatened him in some manner to keep it that way.
Noctis noticed Prompto before his would-be entourage did, and his eyes went wide and frightened. He appeared to shake his head slightly, as if urging Prompto to leave the issue alone.
"Find a way to bump into one and make it look natural," Ignis commanded.
Prompto, still jogging sedately, made a big show of angling his wrist to look at his watch and checking his pulse with his other hand. It was when he was staring down at his wrist that he "accidentally" bumped into the goon walking closest to the street. The small group came to a halt all at once, though now there was a significant gap between Noctis and the two men on the street side. Now, Prompto just needed to keep them there.
"Holy shit, man, I'm so sorry!" Prompto exclaimed loudly, reaching out to steady the man in the hooded blue sweatshirt. He brushed some nonexistent lint of the man's shoulder and continued, "Man, are you okay? I really need to watch where I'm going better, that was my bad!"
"S'all good, dude," the man replied through a stiff jaw. He sounded gravely, like he'd smoked for years and years. Prompto noticed a prominent scar on his neck that climbed up to his left cheek.
"Hey, I know this is gonna sound really weird, but do I know you from somewhere?" Prompto asked with a bright grin.
"Nah, think you got the wrong guy," the man said with no small measure of finality. He shifted around like he wanted to start moving again.
"Push him further."
Prompto did his very best to exude genuine confusion, "You sure? I coulda sworn I had a class with you sometime. Anthony? Andre? You played King's Knight with me that one time? Dude, that new expansion's comin' out soon with that big tattooed guy and a group of mercenaries and it's gonna be really intense and super cool!"
The man began to look frustrated, but didn't seem to be suspicious of Prompto. "Really think you got the wrong guy. I don't know you."
"Ah, well. Noggin hasn't been right since I took that spill on Angler Street, anyway. Sorry, again, for running into you, I bet you're real busy and - Oh, my goodness, Your Highness!" Prompto finally let his focus be completely on his friend and proceeded to pretend as if he had never met him in his life. He shifted subtly closer to Noctis, bowed as deeply as he dared, and continued loudly, "I'm so sorry, Prince Noctis! I'm sure you have important places to be and it looks like I've delayed you!"
Across the street, there were finally civilians starting to take notice of Noctis's presence. Some openly stared and a few got out their phones to start taking pictures. Prompto noticed belatedly that it appeared there were more goons - five? Six? - on the other side of the street who looked a mite more suspicious of Prompto than the ones right in front of him.
"Don't worry about it," Noctis said stiffly. He had lost some of the terror but there was still a coiled tension in his shoulders and back.
"Gladio to intercept in twenty seconds."
"Still," Prompto said, "I just- I feel so bad about running into your friend and keeping you from your important royal things. I'll let you get back to your day now, Your Highness!" He locked eyes with Noctis and nodded once, trying his very best to convey what was about to happen.
"Three, two, one-"
Prompto pulled a pistol from the arsenal.
Gladio and his team seemed to emerge from everywhere all at once. They all also seemed to be very keen on screaming instructions at the entire street.
"Citadel Kingsglaive! Let me see your hands!"
"Move away, now!"
All of the goons turned towards the shouting Glaives and the very pissed-off looking Shield, and it was in this momentary distraction that Prompto made his move. He got a shot off at the back-right goon and when the man with sagging jeans stumbled away, Prompto pulled Noctis through the gap that he'd created. No longer surrounded by goons, Prompto whirled to keep Noctis behind him.
The once-quiet street filled with the rapports of many, many guns, and the startled screams of the citizenry.
Five Kingsglaive immediately warped out of nowhere and attacked the group of men who'd been surrounding Noctis. The back-right goon that Prompto had shot lay crumpled on the ground, immobile.
The Glaives were warping and dodging gunfire, and Gladio menaced some guy who had obviously lost his gun somehow and was attempting to go toe-to-toe with the Prince's Shield. Prompto was glad that the attention was off of him and Noctis, though he continued to back further down the street and away from the confrontation with his weapon drawn.
"Hey, Prom," Noctis greeted, mild as milk.
"'Sup, Noct?" Prompto kept slowly backing the two of them up.
Prompto felt Noctis pull a weapon from the arsenal and turn around so his back was to Prompto's.
"Prompto, what is Noctis's status?"
"You okay, bud? Iggy's asking about you."
"Not any worse than usual," Noctis said good-naturedly.
"That bad, huh?" Prompto joked.
"I'm okay. Bloody nose and split lip, but nothing else," Noctis affirmed.
Prompto kept his eyes trained on the slowing firefights and brawls while Noctis kept his eyes on the other side of the street. The Glaives and Gladio were very close to having all of the visible would-be kidnappers in handcuffs. "Noct, my phone is in my pocket if you want to grab it and put it on speaker."
"On it, Prom. You're on speaker, Igs."
"Highness, I'm glad to hear you're alright."
"Glad to be alright, Specs," Noctis replied.
"Prompto, what's happening there?"
"Looks like Gladio and the Glaives have mostly cleaned the place up. I've got Noct behind me and I'm moving down the street. Instructions?"
"Hold your position and wait for Gladio or a member of the Kingsglaive to approach you. They'll tell you the all-clear code and you will follow them to a vehicle that will take you to the Citadel."
"Sounds good to me," said Prompto.
"I need a fucking nap," Noctis complained.
The thing was, Noctis had actually been having a pretty alright day before the whole kidnapping fiasco. It was nice out, the homework load for later that evening hadn't been too wild, and he'd been meandering his way slowly back to the school to grab his physics notebook. The modified plan was to get the notebook and then pick Prompto up from work so they could work on the homework together.
His walk had been rudely interrupted by the approach of several people and the subsequent threats they made not only to his life but to the lives of the ordinary citizens walking around in the streets, as well. When it came to combat, Noctis was good, but he wasn't "take down five armed dudes and possibly more armed dudes you can't see quite yet" good.
Noctis hadn't been able to guess where they were taking him on foot, but he'd guess the plan was to get him to either a secluded building or to get him to a location where they could get him into a car inconspicuously.
He'd bargained with the one in the black hoodie to let him conclude his conversation with Prompto, at least, under the justification that the blond wouldn't become suspicious. He'd started almost immediately with one of the codes he and Prompto had come up with, then shifted to the Official "Oh, Shit" Code that he'd been given that morning and hoped that that set something in motion. When the conversation didn't end there, the dudes had grown visibly frustrated with Noctis and had taken his phone. (There was a small scuffle here, where Noctis had attempted to resist the theft of his phone and had received a right hook to the face for his efforts.)
Apparently, whatever exchange the dudes and Prompto ended up having through Noctis's phone was enough to spur Prompto into action. Noctis honestly hadn't anticipated Prompto coming to the scene himself (he had really hoped that Prompto would just reach out to Ignis or Gladio and let them know about the situation if they didn't already), but he couldn't deny that he felt much safer knowing that Prompto had his back and had a gun.
The arrival of the Kingsglaive and Gladio provided much-needed relief, as well.
But the adrenaline was wearing off somewhat, and Noctis was growing tired and shaky. He glanced around for Gladio or a Glaive, but no-one was approaching yet. The team was putting the finishing touches on the perps' cuffs across the street, and it looked like Gladio was on the phone.
"I need a fucking nap," he complained. His lip still stung and he resisted the urge to touch it.
"We'll have you home soon, Highness," Ignis said through the phone.
"Hmm," Noctis vocalized.
"Noct, Glaive approaching at my twelve o'clock," Prompto said suddenly.
Noctis turned and felt cool relief sink into his stomach when he saw Crowe's concerned but mirthful expression as she approached them. Her hair was mussed and there was a streak of blood on her right cheek, but she didn't appear any worse for the wear otherwise.
"Hey, Highness," Crowe stopped a reasonable distance away and continued, "got the word to take you and blondie home."
"Hey, Crowe. Gotta ask you for the all-clear," said Noctis.
"Sure thing. As soon as we get you kiddos back to the Citadel, we'll have 'all our green chocobo chicks in a row,'" Crowe recited.
"We're clear, Prom. She's got the right one," Noctis turned around fully and put a hand on Prompto's shoulder.
Prompto relaxed minutely and nodded, "Lead the way, ma'am."
"Just 'Crowe' is fine, blondie," the Glaive insisted. "Let's get you two to the car."
Crowe was leading Noctis and Prompto to an armored black car that'd pulled up to the curb when Ignis spoke again.
"Your Highness, Prompto, I will collect you when you arrive at the Citadel," came Ignis's tinny voice from the other end of the phone.
"Thanks for the help, Igs," Prompto said.
"Yeah, thanks, Iggy," Noctis agreed.
Ignis's reply of "Just doing my duty" may have sounded callous to anyone else, but Noctis could hear the gentle fondness and mild relief.
"Talk to you in a few," Prompto said and hung up the phone.
Crowe ushered the teens into the back of the car and climbed into the front passenger seat herself as soon as the door was closed.
Noctis sighed and scrubbed a hand through his hair, relaxing a little bit in the reinforced car. The vehicle pulled smoothly away from the curb and joined a line of law enforcement vehicles, all of them running their lights. Concerned citizens lined the streets, stopping and staring at the convoy.
"Heard you had a rough afternoon, Your Highness?" Libertus asked from the driver's seat.
"A little more rough than usual, yeah," Noctis said. "Where's Gladio?"
"A few cars behind us, Highness," Libertus answered, turning the car around a corner.
"Hmm," acknowledged the prince.
Noctis then paused and started to consider the implications of the kidnapping attempt and realized that he would definitely be having a fight with his dad about this one. He made a small sound in the back of his throat, barely a groan, and startled slightly when Prompto's hand landed on his knee.
"You hurt at all, Noct?" Prompto asked, still very tense and alert.
"Not hurt," Noctis smiled ruefully, "just thinking about this mess is all."
Prompto nodded and removed his hand, but didn't lose the stiff posture or wide eyes.
Noctis felt a little flare of concern.
"Hey, Prom? You can chill a little bit, y'know? Car's armored, windows are bulletproof. Libertus and Crowe aren't gonna let anything happen; they're pretty badass," said Noctis.
"Yeah, blondie, you decided to go and do our jobs for us already - let me and Lib do some of the heavy lifting now," Crowe agreed lightly, her eyes meaningfully locking with Noctis's in the rearview mirror.
Noctis nodded once at her. He appreciated the attempt.
"You sure, Noct?" Prompto asked after a moment, his right hand still clutching the grip of his pistol.
"We're good, Prompto. It's all good. Feel free to keep the gun out, though, if it makes you feel better," Noctis replied.
Prompto said nothing else but nodded slowly and visibly relaxed.
"We'll be at the Citadel in about five minutes, Highness. We're going to go through the garage and your security team will take you from there," Crowe spoke up, her fingers nearly a blur as she responded to a text message.
"And Prompto stays with me," Noctis said. His tone left room for no arguments. He met Crowe's eyes in the rearview mirror again. "We debrief together, we lockdown together."
Crowe raised a brow. "The captain might not like that very much."
"If Drautos has a problem, I'd be happy to address it with him," Noctis insisted.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Crowe seemed amused. She glanced back down at her phone and started typing again.
Noctis looked out the window, noting that the convoy was blazing through another blocked-off intersection.
The buildings were growing taller and more impressive the closer they were getting to the Citadel, and Noctis felt at once more secure as the area became more familiar to him and more anxious as he knew he was getting closer to a confrontation with his dad.
Shit, Noctis thought, Dad's gonna be so pissed.
Kings do not pace. Pacing indicates nervousness or agitation, which kings are not supposed to experience. Kings must be composed and dignified at all times, no matter the circumstances.
King Regis Lucis Caelum paced back and forth, cane clutched hard in his right hand. He was alone in his office, the Glaive who had escorted him having left to stand guard outside the reinforced steel door. The office was locked down, the hallway was locked down, the entire damn wing of the Citadel was locked down, and yet there was no semblance of safety to be felt.
Because Noctis was in danger.
When the alarm had gone off initially, Regis had been on his way to have afternoon tea in his office and get some work done before the end of the day. Clarus had been meeting with his son in the training grounds. Therefore, it was one of the Glaives who escorted Regis to his office and then stood watch outside.
That alarm, that loud klaxon and flashing lights, different from the fire alarm or the alarms indicating an impending attack, dropped ice into Regis's stomach and took his breath. That was the pattern of Noctis's emergency alarm. And Regis would be stuck in his office, unable to leave the Citadel and assist because more danger could be afoot.
Noctis was in danger, and there was absolutely nothing Regis could do about it.
So he paced, and he waited for someone - anyone - to bring him news, growing more and more flustered and upset as he did so. Ten agonizing minutes went by in this manner. Regis had thrown aside his cane at some point, no longer feeling or caring about the pain in his leg. The Ring of the Lucii glowed on his hand and he saw flashes of hostile violet when he caught his reflection in his darkened computer monitor.
Thus, when Clarus gained access to Regis's office, it was nearly understandable that Regis started with an angry and desperate, "Where is my son?" with his teeth bared and his hand trembling.
"Noctis is safe," Clarus cut to the chase quickly, which Regis appreciated, "Gladio, a team of Glaives, and Prompto Argentum arrived at Noctis's location and Scientia is reporting that the assailants have been subdued and captured. Noctis will be transported here for lockdown shortly."
Assailants. So Noctis had been attacked. He was safe now (Regis had nearly fallen over with the crash of relief that ran down his spine) but he had been attacked.
The murmuring of the Lucii became a cacophony drilling into Regis's mind. Blood, they demanded. Blood blood blood for harming one of ours.
It was with the voices of a hundred generations that Regis spoke.
"Clarus, what happened?"
Ignis watched from the windows of his office as the convoy of five Citadel police cars, two armored cars, and two Suspect Transport Vehicles approached the building. The armored cars and one of the police cars split off and rolled smoothly to the entrance of the underground parking garage while the remaining vehicles moved in the opposite direction, presumably moving towards a holding area for the suspects.
Ignis pushed away from his desk, adjusted his glasses slightly, and left his office, intending to move towards the underground parking garage to meet Noctis.
When he was in the elevator on the way down to the parking garage with two Kingsglaive by his side, his phone buzzed in his pocket. A message from the main Command Communications Center popped up on the screen when Ignis unlocked it.
GENERAL ALERT: SPARROW AND SHIELD SECURED. FULL LOCKDOWN IN EFFECT.
Ignis nodded slightly. All was as it should be.
The message made no mention of Prompto, but Ignis knew there was no way Noctis would allow Prompto to be separated from him. When the elevator finally came to a stop and the doors opened, Ignis was completely unsurprised to see Prompto standing next to the prince with a pistol drawn. Gladio stood a distance away, but was still close enough to be of help if needed. Gladio's clothes were rumpled from the fight with the would-be kidnappers.
Ignis frowned again. The two teenagers looked exhausted, and Noctis in particular was standing rather stiffly. A trail of blood dripped from Noctis's nose and his lower lip was indeed split open, as the prince had mentioned over the phone, and Ignis felt a cold anger rise in his chest.
"Hey, Iggy!" Prompto exclaimed.
Noctis raised a hand in a lazy wave, "Heya, Specs."
"Ignis," Gladio said with a brief nod.
"Your Highness, Gladio, Prompto," Ignis greeted shortly, "We're here to escort you three upstairs."
He motioned the trio forward and himself stepped back slightly into the elevator with the Glaives.
Once the doors were closed, the Glaives and Gladio settled themselves in a loose formation around Noctis and Prompto, the former of whom shifted uncomfortably every few moments. Ignis wondered whether the prince had been entirely truthful when he'd said he was mostly unharmed, and resolved to ask him about it when they arrived at the prince's chambers.
There was a warm sense of relief that Ignis could feel seeing Noctis in the fortress of the now entirely locked-down Citadel, and Ignis allowed himself to relax a little in the knowledge that the prince was secure.
The hallways were largely silent, but for the rhythmic tapping of shoes on the marble floor.
"We're going to the Infirmary first, then we'll get you two in for a debrief," Gladio said shortly from his spot at the front of their little group, "then you'll be locked down while the Crownsguard investigate those little shits."
"'Perpetrators,' Gladio," Ignis reminded.
Gladio, not in the mood apparently, corrected himself, "Sorry - you'll be locked down while the Crownsguard investigate those little fucking shit-ass perpetrators."
The Shield cast a daring look at Ignis, a challenge to continue pushing the issue. Prompto poorly disguised a laugh as a cough.
"Sounds good," said Noctis.
"We're going to an Infirmary?" Prompto piped up.
Noctis looked over at him. "Yeah, just precautionary stuff. We'll be in and out."
"In the event of an attack like this, the Citadel Infirmary checks for potential toxic substances, drugs, unnatural chemical compounds, and any injury that may have been missed due to shock or adrenaline," Ignis explained. "But it is as His Highness says - precautionary measures."
Prompto nodded.
"Highness!"
Prompto whirled around to find the source of the voice that had called out to Noctis from behind them in the hallway.
A tall, muscular man with dark gray hair walked steadily towards them down the hallway.
"Prompto, stand down," Ignis ordered, placing a hand on Prompto's right arm and applying enough pressure that it snapped Prompto back to the present.
Ah, he'd never actually dismissed his pistol.
"'Argentum,' isn't it?" The man asked.
Prompto noticed the man was dressed in Kingsglaive fatigues and he relaxed a little bit.
"Yeah."
"You got some speed in those legs, man. I'm Nyx," the man introduced and held his hand out for Prompto to shake, "I was monitoring Communications while the whole thing went down. Glad you and the prince are okay."
"Uhh...thanks? Glad to be okay, I guess," Prompto replied while he shook Nyx's hand.
"Scientia, Amicitia," Nyx nodded at them both in greeting, "Happy to see you both hale and whole, as well."
Ignis dipped his head in acknowledgement.
"Hope you're not too sad you missed all the action, Ulric," Gladio replied smugly.
Nyx turned his attention to Noctis, "Yeah, you just had to almost get kidnapped when I was working Comms, huh? Can't let me have any fun?"
Noctis smirked. "Good to see you too, Nyx. We're going to the Infirmary if you feel like coming with."
"Nah, I gotta go link up with Crowe and Libertus. Something about guard rotations for the perimeter of the Citadel, I think?" Nyx shook his head and sighed, "I'd rather be working interrogations, but what can you do?"
"I think we'd all like to be working interrogations right about now," Gladio griped.
Noctis ignored Gladio and said, "Sounds like fun. See you later, then."
"Yeah, see you later. Nice to meet you, Argentum. Keep an eye on His Highness for me, will ya?" Nyx asked.
"Trying my best," Prompto quipped in reply.
"That's all anyone can ask," Nyx said conclusively. He spun on his heel and started off down the corridor back the way he came, a hand raised over his shoulder in farewell. "Try not to do anything stupid for the rest of the day, Highness! Already gonna be putting in overtime for this!"
"Nice seeing you too, hero!" Noctis retorted in good humor, though there was a strained undercurrent to his voice that had Ignis looking over at him in concern.
Ignis straightened his glasses and cleared his throat quietly. When the attention of the group fell on him, he gestured for everyone to continue moving. "The sooner we get to the Infirmary, the sooner we will be able to have Prince Noctis and Prompto secured."
"And the sooner I can go the fuck to sleep," Noctis groused, running a hand through his hair.
The party collectively ignored Ignis's put-upon sigh at Noctis's use of an expletive and continued their walk through the Citadel's winding hallways to the Infirmary.
Noctis and Prompto were ultimately split up for their medical evaluations. Prompto was shuffled off by a middle-aged male doctor and Noctis was ushered to another room by the same doctor he'd been seeing since he was a kid.
"How are you feeling, Your Highness?" Dr. Patel inquired once Noctis was seated on the crinkling paper of the exam table.
"Tired. I guess kind of achy," Noctis said shortly. He slipped his shirt off over his head - routine by now - and winced a little at the pulling it caused at his lower back.
"Deep breaths," Dr. Patel insisted.
The next few moments consisted of Noctis breathing deeply in and out while Dr. Patel moved the drum of her stethoscope to listen to his lungs and heart.
"Respiratory sounds good. Heart sounds good," Dr. Patel nodded to herself and took out a small penlight. "Any dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, headache, confusion?"
"Not that I've noticed," said Noctis as Dr. Patel shone the penlight in each of his eyes separately.
"Regular dilation. And you complained of tiredness and aches?"
Noctis put his t-shirt back on and considered the doctor's question. "More tired than I would usually be at this time of day, I suppose. Aches localized to my lower back," he said.
"Lethargy can be explained by a post-adrenaline crash, but I'd like to draw some blood just to be sure," Dr. Patel noted briefly. "And stress is likely why your lower back is bothering you. Do you still have doses left of the nefazodone?"*
"Go ahead on the blood draw. And yeah, I have like half the bottle left, I think," Noctis said. "Flare-ups aren't as common when it's not freezing outside."
"Thank you," Dr. Patel swabbed Noctis's offered forearm and slipped a needle in a bluish vein to start collecting the blood for the labs. "And you have easy access to your brace if you need it?"
"In my bedside drawer," said Noctis. He stared resolutely at the wall, unwilling to watch the blood emerge from his skin. He was struck with a small realization and couldn't help but utter, "Ah, shit."
"What's wrong?" Dr. Patel asked as she put the vial of blood into a sealable bag and placed a bandage on Noctis's arm.
"Nothing. Just remembered one of the guys who tried to grab me must still have my phone," Noctis smiled ruefully, then yawned at length.
"Sorry to hear that."
"All good. Just another thing to deal with."
"Still. Doesn't sound like fun," Dr. Patel said. She gently palpated Noctis's nose and announced, "Your nose doesn't look broken to me."
"Small victories."
"Well, you look just fine," Dr. Patel declared happily. "I'll get this off to the lab just to be sure, but I don't think there's anything wrong that a good rest can't fix. Do you want me to clean your nose and lip up?"
"I think I'm good, doc, but thank you," Noctis said. He slipped off the exam table and stood, bracing himself on the edge of it a little to deal with the influx of pain. Ah, so it was going to be that kind of evening.
"Glad you're safe, Prince Noctis. Please take the full dose of your meds this time? And if you still feel pain after half an hour, let me know and I can get you a different scrip," Dr. Patel instructed.
"Will do, Christine," Noctis said.
Dr. Patel escorted Noctis back to the waiting area of the Infirmary where Prompto, Gladio, Ignis and the two Glaives who'd been accompanying them were waiting for him to return.
"He's got a clean bill from me, for now," Dr. Patel said. "You guys are okay to lock down."
"Thank you, Doctor," Ignis acknowledged, and addressed the rest of the company, "Shall we?"
"Time to sleep," Noctis declared.
"Time to debrief," Gladio corrected.
Noctis did not look impressed. "Okay, but can we at least do that somewhere I can lay down?"
When Gladio looked as if he was going to argue, Ignis cut him off with a meaningful look and replied, "I think we can manage that."
The walk to Noctis's chambers was quick and easy with Gladio taking point and the Glaives flanking Ignis, Noctis and Prompto safely between all of them. When the group reached the heavy armored doors, the Glaives remained outside to stand guard.
The prince's rooms were extensive; the foyer provided access to a formal sitting room populated by comfortable chairs and couches in relaxing creams and blues. Connected to the sitting room was a guest bathroom, a small kitchenette, a separate informal sitting room, and Noctis's office. Going through the office was the only way to directly reach the prince's bedroom and the master bathroom, both of which contained reinforced panic rooms.
Noctis, upon clearing the foyer and entering the front sitting room, collapsed face-first onto a squishy blue couch.
"Can I get you anything, Noctis?" Ignis asked, worriedly eyeing the motionless prince.
Noctis was silent for a long moment before he replied, "Could you grab my meds and my back brace, please?"
Ignis started slightly but nodded and disappeared into Noctis's bedroom to search for the items.
"Meds?" Prompto mouthed at Gladio, a clear question on his face.
Gladio shook his head and mouthed back, "Later."
Ignis reappeared moments later with an orange bottle of pills, a wide black brace, a tall glass of water, and a heating pad.
Noctis was in the humiliating process of being helped to sit up from his couch sprawl in order to take care of his aches and pains, wincing the entire way, when he received new guests in his rooms.
King Regis and Clarus Amicitia came (not rushing, because Kings and their Shields do not rush, just like Kings do not pace, but there was a certain desperation in the quickness with which the men moved) striding into the sitting room.
"Noctis," the King breathed in relief at the sight of his son safe and in one piece. "Are you alright?"
Noctis, finally sitting upright with the careful help of both Ignis and Gladio, smiled a little and said, "Hey, Dad. Bloody nose, split lip, and my back hurts, but I'll live."
Regis's jaw clenched and he looked pained for a moment, but he still looked incredibly buoyed by the sight of his son.
"And this must be the friend we've heard so much about?" Clarus asked, gesturing at Prompto.
Prompto was almost unbearably red in the face when he finally managed to stop staring blankly at King Regis and stood, bowing as deeply as he could.
"Your Majesty!" Prompto squeaked.
"Rise, Mr. Argentum, and please retake your seat. There is no need to stand on ceremony here," Regis sounded mildly amused.
"Yes, Sir," Prompto curled himself back into an armchair next to Noctis's couch and pulled his knees up to his chest.
Noctis threw back a full dose of his medication and allowed Ignis to help him get the brace around his lower torso while his father and Clarus arranged themselves on the sitting room furniture. It was only when Noctis was leaning back against the heating pad with the tension draining out of his shoulders and neck that Clarus started the process of debriefing Noctis and Prompto.
As Noctis was the most likely to actually pass out in the middle of the debrief if it went too long, he went first.
Dutifully, the prince recalled the series of events that led to him being on the street at the moment that the gang approached. He detailed the seizure of his phone with a cringe and an apologetic glance at his father, who delivered a reassuring pat to the prince's knee, preceded by his attempts to both alert Prompto with their code system and the use of his personal emergency code for intercept by the Kingsglaive.
Noctis then recounted Prompto's arrival on the scene, Prompto's weapon discharging at one of the assailants, and the way the pair of them were eventually contacted by Crowe and removed from the area.
Clarus nodded and made a note on his legal pad before turning to Prompto in preparation of beginning the process again, but Regis held up a hand to halt him and looked at Noctis inquisitively.
"You mentioned you've worked out a system of covert codes with Mr. Argentum?" The King asked Noctis.
"Yeah, I got the idea from my emergency codes. I had codes for when I was in trouble, but what if I needed to know if Prompto was okay? We've got 'em for most bad situations," Noctis mumbled out.
Ignis had, at some point, gone to the kitchen and retrieved a damp towel to clean the lingering blood off of Noctis's nose, mouth, chin, and neck; Noctis couldn't muster the will to be upset about it, tired as he was.
"'Most bad situations'?" Clarus parroted, "As in something other than what happened today?"
"Potential kidnapping, robbery, stalking, and an ambiguous feeling of danger that might require backup, to name a few," Prompto rattled off quickly. "We had twenty or thirty at last count, I think, right, Noct?"
"Mmhmm," Noctis replied, nearly silenced by Ignis's damp towel.
"And you've memorized all of these codes and are ready to use and respond to them at a moment's notice?" Clarus continued.
"Unless Noct came up with more and didn't tell me about them, yeah," Prompto said.
"That's…incredibly thoughtful and forward-thinking of the two of you," Gladio interjected when it seemed no-one else in the room knew what to say.
"Thanks, 'preciate it, would anyone mind if I took a nap now?" Noctis asked, "I think I'm gonna pass out or say something stupid."
Clarus nodded, "We'll conduct Prompto's debrief in the adjacent room so you can rest, Noctis."
Noctis offered a weak thumbs-up and, with Ignis's assistance, started the arduous process of moving from a sitting-up position back to a laying-down position with a hurt lower back.
"I'm going to go find Cor to…discuss the perps," Gladio declared once Noctis was laying down again. The Prince's Shield stood - tall, imposing, growing visibly and increasingly upset with the state of his charge with every passing moment - and began making his way towards the door.
"Ignis," Regis began, "would you accompany Clarus and Mr. Argentum to the next room for a moment? I would like to have a word with my son."
Noctis reflexively grimaced in anticipation of his father's anger and disapproval. The emptying of the sitting room and the soft sound that came from the closing of the adjoining room's door contributed to a sinking dread in the prince's stomach.
He was more than a little startled when his father sat on the coffee table in front of the couch. The king gently picked up Noctis's hand and enfolded it in both of his own.
"Noctis," Regis said, "When the alarm went off I was so, so worried about you."
The depth of the honesty in Regis's voice made Noctis's breath catch in his throat. He hadn't been expecting that.
"Sorry, Dad," Noctis breathed out. "I really didn't try to put myself in danger-"
Regis cut him off, "I know, Noctis, I know. None of this was your fault. I'm just so glad you're alright and you're safe."
Regis reached over and brushed some of Noctis's hair away from his eyes. Noctis felt rather like a fish out of water; he had been expecting a fight or a scolding, at the very least, and instead was getting this.
"I'm glad to be safe," Noctis admitted. He paused briefly, took a breath, and continued, "Dad, I was really scared today."
"Oh, Noctis."
The prince rushed to continue, "I knew that my code with Prompto would work and I knew that my code for the Glaives would work, and I knew that I'd be able to fall back on hand-to-hand if I needed to, but there were civilians and one of the guys threatened to kill one of them if I caused trouble, and there was a minute there I thought I was going to die-" he choked out.
"Noctis-"
"-and I also think I lost my phone and one of them punched me and my back really hurts and I'm sorry," Noctis finished, voice tight and tears threatening to fall.
"Noctis, my son, breathe," Regis ordered softly, only continuing when the prince took a shaking breath inward, "You are safe, you are alive, you are not seriously hurt, no civilians were harmed when the Kingsglaive took down your assailants, and it is absolutely no trouble for us to get you a new phone." Regis squeezed Noctis's hand with one of his own and laid the other on Noctis's forehead. "Alright?"
"...yeah, alright," Noctis allowed as he scrubbed away the tears that had managed to fall.
"Now, you mentioned your back is bothering you. Do you want me to call your doctor?" Regis asked seriously.
Noctis nodded. "It's gotten worse, I think. My meds aren't cutting it right now."
"Then I will handle that after we get you to your bed for that nap you need to take," Regis declared, elegantly rising from his place on the coffee table. "Do you think you can move, or do you need help?"
Noctis fidgeted with the hem of his shirt for a moment. "I think I need help," Noctis said reluctantly.
"Well, then let us handle that first."
Clarus, Ignis, and Prompto sat with a table between them in the informal sitting room.
"So, you were in contact with Noctis by text after school ended?" Clarus clarified.
"Yeah, after school got out I went to work and Noctis texted me maybe a couple hours later? He said he needed to go back to the school to get his physics notebook. I offered to go with him because my shift ended kinda soon and he didn't text back for a bit, but then he used one of our codes," Prompto explained.
"And what code was that?" Clarus asked, making a note on his legal pad.
"He said something about an 'art test,'" Prompto said, "which means that there are more than three people around him who are trying to abduct him and that he needs help as fast as possible."
"And did you have any codes that you used to reply to him when he said that?" Ignis interjected.
Prompto's expression turned sheepish, "If I'm honest, I kind of forgot about 'art test' being one of the codes and only really realized he'd used a code when the next thing he sent me was all capitalized and punctuated proper and stuff. When I got that one, I sent him back one of the codes that checks for whether he has his phone or if somebody else is texting from his phone, and he didn't reply like he should've. That's when I turned on 'Find My Friends' and went after him and I called you, Ignis."
Ignis looked impressed.
"So, you ran to Noctis's GPS location, you followed Ignis's instructions to stall the assailants, and when Gladio and the strike team got there and distracted everyone…?" Clarus trailed off, waiting for Prompto to finish his explanation of the scenario.
Prompto picked at his nails a little and looked down at his shoes. "When Gladio and his team got there, I summoned a gun from the arsenal and fired once at the man in the back-right position. Then I grabbed Noctis and started backing away from the fight with him behind me. A few minutes later, Crowe came and told Noctis the all-clear and she led us to a car."
Clarus scribbled down several notes and looked back up at Prompto when he was done.
"Thank you, Prompto," Clarus said. "I'd also like to thank you for intervening on the Prince's behalf; I'm not sure what might have happened if you hadn't acted so quickly and accurately, but you are part of the reason why Noctis is alive and well."
Cor's words from Crownsguard training bounced around in Prompto's head.
If you think there's a reasonable threat…use deadly force first and ask questions later.
"Prompto?" Ignis asked, seeing the grim set of Prompto's mouth.
"The - the guy I shot," Prompto asked, but it wasn't a question, "he…"
Understanding dawned on Ignis's face, "Ah. Yes. The perpetrator you shot." He adjusted his glasses when he didn't know quite how to continue.
Prompto's marksmanship skills were stunning, more so than the majority of the other Crownsguard trainees. He knew the angle at which he'd fired his weapon, he knew that the bullet had traveled at approximately 1500 feet per second, and he knew that when he and Noctis had walked through the area on the way to the car the man had still been on the ground unmoving.
"The perpetrator you described as being in the back-right position was pronounced dead at the scene," Clarus stated shortly, flipping the pages of his legal pad down and setting his pen on top. "You will not face any consequences for this unfortunate result as it occurred in defense of the life of the Prince."
Prompto scrubbed at his face with his hands and sighed. He was incredibly glad that Noctis was safe and alive, truly, but adding to the count of lives he'd personally ended left a bad taste in his mouth. (He still had nightmares about the mugging situation from the year prior.)
"His Majesty will likely insist on presenting you with a medal for your role in saving Noctis's life," said Ignis.
"But, we can work out those details later," Clarus piped up, "And for now we should let you de-stress and contact your parents to let them know that you won't be returning home this evening or going to class tomorrow."
"I won't be going to class tomorrow?" Prompto asked.
"Citadel lockdown in this case is going to last twenty-four hours from the time that Noctis first indicated he was in danger to the Communications staff. You're going to be here until tomorrow evening at the earliest," Ignis explained.
Prompto nodded and thought, a little hysterically, that at least he'd have the time he needed to complete the physics homework.
When Noctis woke up, it was to the sound of someone quietly calling his name. Noctis was enveloped cozily in plush sheets and blankets, which he appreciated more than he'd ever be able to express. He vaguely recalled his father kissing his forehead gently before leaving the room to let him sleep. A glance over at the clock on his nightstand informed Noctis that it was nearing ten o'clock at night. He'd been out for at least three hours.
Prompto slept next to him - someone had obviously given him pajamas - lit very gently blue from the light of the TV across the room.
Ignis stood next to the bed on Noctis's side. "Noctis?" Ignis asked again.
"Igs?" Noctis mumbled.
"Your doctor sent up a different medication if your back is still bothering you," Ignis started. He shook a small orange bottle of pills once and then set it on the nightstand. Then Ignis continued, "The Marshal was able to recover your previous phone, though His Majesty did not want to return that model to you as there was a large crack in the screen. Staff from the Information Technology department transferred all of your data and files to this model," he held out a new sleek, black phone and Noctis took it. "Also, Prompto told me that you haven't eaten since lunch earlier today so I've prepared some soup."
"Thanks, Iggy," said Noctis.
Noctis made an aborted attempt at sitting up which ended with him grunting and clenching his jaw when pain jolted down his spine.
"Let me help, Your Highness," Ignis insisted.
The two of them wrangled Noctis into a sitting position up against his headboard, and when Ignis held out two white pills from the new prescription Noctis took them gratefully.
After he swallowed the pills and started the process of consuming soup very, very carefully, Noctis asked, "Any updates?"
Ignis nodded. "Captain Drautos, the Marshal, and His Majesty have confirmed through their investigation that there are no other parties waiting to attack - your abduction was their only articulable goal, insofar as we can tell, and they were working independently. There were a total of thirteen perpetrators and eleven of them are currently secured, two deceased. The Citadel will remain on official lockdown until tomorrow evening at 5:57, and His Majesty has requested that you - and Prompto, if he wishes to - stay in the Citadel through the weekend.
"I have taken the liberty of obtaining your and Prompto's assignments for tomorrow and informing the school that neither of you will be attending your classes," Ignis concluded.
Something about Ignis's report rattled around in Noctis's head. "Two deceased? I thought only one had died on-scene."
Noctis had been paying attention to his surroundings despite the presence of the exceedingly well-trained Kingsglaive and the equally well-trained Prompto. He distinctly remembered walking past the corpse of the man Prompto had shot and making a mental note of the blood pooling on the pavement. But that had been the only casualty Noctis had seen, and none of the other kidnappers looked to be in poor shape.
A shadow passed over Ignis's face briefly. The light of the TV drew a harsh glare on the advisor's glasses and hid his eyes from view.
"I know very little about the circumstances surrounding the death of the second perpetrator. I'm told that he passed during questioning from injuries obtained during his arrest," Ignis said darkly.
To die during an interrogation from injuries obtained during arrest. The implication of that combination of words was immediately apparent to the prince, who paused slightly in the consumption of the chicken noodle soup.
"Oh," said Noctis.
"I've been told that the perpetrator who died in custody was, incidentally, the one who bloodied your face."
There was a tone in Ignis's voice - a kind of grim satisfaction that immediately stalled any questions Noctis may have asked in response.
Noctis decided he would rather stop talking about that particular topic and made to bring up something else.
"Hey, how's he been doing?" Noctis asked, gesturing at his sleeping friend.
Ignis pushed up his glasses and said, "Prompto has been doing well, all things considered. After his debrief, he ate his soup and watched a movie. The Crownsguard we sent to his workplace dropped off the belongings from his locker and I believe he attempted to work on a homework assignment but gave up halfway through."
Prompto looked very relaxed in his sleep, but Noctis made a mental note to both ask him how he was dealing with the incident and thank him for the whole life-saving thing he'd done.
"Sometimes I wonder if he'd be better off if he wasn't my friend, you know?" Noctis admitted quietly. "He'd probably be in less danger all the time. He definitely wouldn't have to shoot people."
"He might be better off, yes," Ignis said, "but would either of you be happy?"
"I meant he might be better off if he'd never become my friend - if we'd never met," Noctis clarified.
"Your Highness, I have laid awake for far too many hours contemplating what could be now if something in the past had changed. Would you like to know what I've discovered?"
"What?"
"Doing that - wondering what you could have done differently - is nothing but a waste of time and energy. For better or for worse, you are here now and Prompto is your friend. And from where I'm sitting, it seems as if Prompto being your friend today was a very good thing, indeed. I certainly owe him a great deal for ensuring that you returned to us," said Ignis.
Noctis nodded. "I owe him a lot, too," the prince said. "And I understand that you were the one in Prompto's ear during the rescue?"
"I was, yes."
There was a pause here as Noctis collected his thoughts.
"I know I'm kind of a pain in the ass, Iggy. The…trash, the dishes, the not doing what you need me to when I'm supposed to, all of it. I owe you more than I can say. I always have, probably always will," Noctis met his advisor's eyes directly and steadily, something very sincere painted on his face, "Thank you, Ignis Scientia, for everything that you've done for me. I do not deserve your service or loyalty."
Ignis cleared his throat, though when he spoke his voice still sounded rather thick, "And yet I give them freely to you. It is an honor to be your friend and act in your service, Noctis. Please don't forget that."
It was at that moment that Prompto began snoring quietly, effectively disturbing the serious discussion between prince and advisor.
Ignis huffed out a quiet laugh and stood from his chair, collecting Noctis's empty soup bowl as he did so. "I should allow you to get proper rest, Your Highness."
"Probably a good idea for me to go to sleep, yeah," Noctis said.
"You'll wake up Prompto or call me if you need anything during the night," Ignis insisted.
"Yes, sir," Noctis agreed without fuss.
Ignis left and quietly closed the bedroom door behind him.
Noctis settled back down into his sheets and stared at the ceiling, listening to Prompto snore quietly for a very long while.
And in spite of all of the horrible things that had happened that day, the prince felt content.
Fifteen minutes after Regis had left Noctis's rooms (he had indulged himself and kissed his son on the forehead before making contact with Dr. Patel and muttered a short prayer against his skin that the Six protect him) found the king in the cells beneath the Citadel with Clarus.
Cor appeared at his other side as he made his way through the labyrinthine stone caverns. The Marshal sported a grim frown and a tightly clenched jaw.
"Well?" Regis asked as he walked.
"The guard and the Glaives have determined that there are no more of them. The ones we have in custody are the only ones who were going to take part in this plot," Cor replied.
"And the plot itself?"
"Mixed reports. Some of the perps are saying kidnap the prince and ransom him, some are saying kidnap the prince and murder him," said Cor, stone-faced.
Murder him. Regis's only son, the only thing he had left of Aulea, the little boy he'd raised and taught and loved and cared for. Noctis, who had already been through so much in his short life. Murder him.
Blood, demanded the Lucii. Blood, demanded the kings of old. Blood blood blood for the plot to take him from us.
The Ring was burning on Regis's hand. His fist clenched.
"Have you found the one who assaulted him?" Regis asked through a tight jaw.
"Yes, Majesty," Cor said and gestured for the king to follow him.
The cell that the Marshal, Clarus, and Regis came upon held a man bound at the wrists and ankles. He trembled slightly in the cool dark of the subterranean holding area, long since divested of his blue hooded sweatshirt. The healed scar on his face and neck told a tale of violence.
"How do you know?" Regis asked Cor without taking his eyes off the perpetrator.
"The knuckles of his right hand are split and bruised, Your Majesty, and forensics found traces of the Prince's DNA on his hands," Cor reported.
Blood fire pain, crooned the Lucii in Regis's ear. And they would have it.
Regis nodded once and addressed the man in the cell, "For crimes against the Crown including unlawful imprisonment of the Prince, aggravated assault of the Prince, and conspiracy to murder the Prince, I, King Regis Lucis Caelum do sentence you to die."
When the king spun and began to walk away from the cell, his Shield and the Marshal were so startled it took them a moment to catch back up.
"An execution, Your Majesty?" Clarus asked in light disbelief. "There hasn't been an execution in Lucis since your grandfather's rule."
"Are you questioning my judgment, Clarus? I must say this is not the time to land yourself on my bad side," Regis retorted.
"No, Majesty, just pointing out that we don't currently employ an executioner," Clarus said earnestly.
Regis thought for a moment as he moved. He thought of Noctis's easy friendship with members of the Kingsglaive, of the anger he had seen plastered all over Gladiolus's and Ignis's faces when they saw Noctis struggling and in pain.
The king turned to Cor and Clarus with an expression that made both of them shudder.
"Oh, I'm sure there will be volunteers."
*Nefazodone is technically an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) which is actually an antidepressant. However, when I went searching on the Internet for medications commonly used to treat chronic pain, nefazodone appeared as one that is sometimes prescribed to treat chronic pain syndromes and nerve pain. I do not suffer from chronic pain, and therefore I do not know commonly-prescribed medications. Do not interpret any of my writings as medical advice, and only use medications for their intended use or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.